Topaz Photo AI is Magic For Noise And Sharpness
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Introduction
Hi everyone! My name is Mate Sulanto, and I’m a photographer. In this article, I’m going to share my experience improving some of my older photographs using a brand new app called Topaz Photo AI. Additionally, I'll be comparing the Lumix GX880 camera to my Sony A7 IV, focusing primarily on image quality rather than a direct camera comparison.
Purpose of the Comparison
I want to see if Topaz Photo AI can enhance the pictures taken with the Lumix GX880 to match the quality of images captured with my Sony A7 IV. My collection consists of personal memories from various travels. Although the image quality is not the most critical factor given their sentimental value, I aim to print some of these pictures slightly larger than a postcard. Therefore, I’m looking for a way to improve their quality.
Image Enhancement Process
Let’s start with the first photo, which I shot in Western Australia back in February 2018. It features white sand, a blue sky, and tiny four-by-four trucks amidst people enjoying a day outdoors. However, it lacks sharpness and has noticeable noise. I plan to use Topaz Photo AI as a Lightroom plugin, which also works as a standalone application.
As I open the file, Topaz Photo AI automatically identifies the issues and processes the image. After applying the AI enhancements, I zoom into 200% to better assess the changes. I’m pleased to see that almost all noise is eliminated without losing any detail, resulting in a significantly improved image that could be printed at sizes up to 2 or 3.
Next, I moved on to a picture of myself enjoying a fruit smoothie at a market in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. While this photo holds a cherished memory, it is not sharp and suffers from camera shake. After processing this image through Topaz Photo AI, the results are impressive. The background gained clarity, noise was removed, and it looks much cleaner overall.
For the third picture, I chose a landscape shot from New Zealand taken in December 2017 with a phone camera. Though technically better than the previous two, it still shows some noise in the darker areas. Once again, Photo AI works its magic, reducing noise further and sharpening the image, leading to even better printing quality.
Comparing Lumix GX880 and Sony A7 IV Images
Now it’s time to compare images shot with the Lumix GX880 and Sony A7 IV. The scene captured is the view from my office window featuring ongoing construction. I begin with a picture from my Sony A7 IV using the 40mm f/2.5 G lens. I then compare it with a photo from the Lumix GX880 using the 20mm f/1.7 lens, known for its sharpness.
After some fine-tuning in Lightroom, the tonalities and colors of both images are closely matched. However, the primary distinction lies in the file size: the Lumix image is around 13 megapixels, while the Sony image boasts an almost 33-megapixel count. I then run the Lumix image through Topaz Photo AI to upscale it to match the size of the Sony photo.
Upon reviewing the side-by-side comparisons, I notice that while details in the Sony picture remain sharper, the upscaled output from Topaz Photo AI looks quite stunning. The clarity is notably increased, but no additional detail that wasn’t present can be created.
Conclusion
Overall, I am extremely impressed with Topaz Photo AI and its ability to upscale and enhance images. It’s especially useful for those moments when poorly executed pictures need revival. If you have a smaller sensor camera like the Lumix GX880 and you occasionally label images for larger prints, Topaz Photo AI offers a reliable solution.
The final version of the application will become available next month, and I’ll provide an affiliate link below. Your support helps keep the channel running!
Thank you for reading and I hope to see you in my next article!
Keywords
- Topaz Photo AI
- Image enhancement
- Lumix GX880
- Sony A7 IV
- Noise reduction
- Image sharpness
- Photography
- Photo comparison
FAQ
What is Topaz Photo AI?
Topaz Photo AI is an application designed to automatically enhance images, reducing noise and improving sharpness.
Can it be used with Lightroom?
Yes, Topaz Photo AI functions as a plugin for Lightroom and also as a standalone application.
Does Topaz Photo AI work with raw files?
Currently, it’s noted that Lightroom has limitations concerning edits on raw files with plugins, but the processed files can be exported.
How does the image quality compare between Lumix GX880 and Sony A7 IV when using Photo AI?
While both images can be enhanced, the Sony A7 IV retains more detail due to its higher megapixel count, but the Lumix GX880’s images can still look excellent after using Photo AI.
Will Topaz Photo AI be available for standalone purchase?
Yes, the final version of Topaz Photo AI will be available for standalone purchase next month.